What the analysts said after the Miami Dolphins took Alabama’s Kenyan Drake at No. 73 overall

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After having only one player drafted in the first round, Alabama saw six of its former players leave the board on Day 2.

Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake closed things out for the Tide on the second day as the Miami Dolphins took him at No. 73 overall in the third round.

Drake is an explosive athlete at running back who gave Alabama a variety of options in both the running and passing game. He rushed for 408 yards on 77 carries for 5.3 yards per carry while catching 29 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown.

He also had a kickoff return for a touchdown in the national championship game over Clemson which helped Alabama to its fourth national title in seven seasons.

During the Senior Bowl and other pre-draft workouts, Drake showcased that versatility. If he can stay healthy, Drake should have a promising NFL future ahead of him.

He’s like the modern day crazy legs. You watch him on tape, his feet are always going. I thought he was the No. 1 guy in this entire draft at the running back position in agility and acceleration. He is explosive. He’s a home run hitter. Now, he struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. But he’s the type of player, if you can create touches for him, he’s going to provide you with some big plays as a running back and in the return game. Home run hitting the ability as a receiver as well working out of the slot. This guy averaged 26.5 yards per kick off return in 2015, and had that 95-yard touchdown in the national championship game against Clemson. I like this pick. Not too early, but the perfect spot for him. He’s going to contribute, I would guess, right away on special teams for the Miami Dolphins.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr.

What he is is a poor man’s Reggie Bush. That’s what he was considered to be and that’s what they thought he would be. He has the return ability, the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, hit the big play, the home run play. He can hurt you in a variety of ways. If he can stay healthy — he’s had some injury issues. But he brings that Reggie Bush dynamic to the Miami Dolphins and gives Ryan Tannehill a key weapon, provided he can stay healthy.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock

I really like this guy because of value, 6-feet, 210. I know a lot of teams that liked him better than Derrick Henry. He’s a third-down change of pace guy, he’s got kick return value and he’s a gunner on special teams. He’s an explosive kid on third down, he returns kicks for touchdowns and when you punt the football, he hunts punt returners. You get him in the third round, and he does all those jobs and he does them well.